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Latest ranking confirms the top quality of social sciences at UT

26.11.2018

The specialities of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Tartu rose to high positions in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) university rankings by subject. Two subjects entered the ranking for the first time: economics (ranked in the 251–300 range) and education (301–400).

The University of Tartu’s social sciences have maintained their last year’s position in the ranking (in the 251–300 range). In the THE classification, social sciences include communication and media studies, politics and international studies, sociology and geography (human geography and regional planning).

“It is a truly excellent achievement that the teaching and research in business and economics at the University of Tartu have found a place in THE ranking,” said Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Raul Eamets. “Our economics is at the same level as that of our good colleagues at the University of Turku and the University of Kiel. Also Saint Petersburg State University and Birkbeck, University of London are in the same range with us.”

Eamets also emphasised the importance of maintaining business and economics education both in Tartu and Tallinn. “It is a shame that as the areas of responsibility are divided between universities, there is an attempt to draw a distinction between business administration and economics. Actually, they are the two sides of the same coin. Together with economists from the Tallinn University of Technology, we have together led both directions and definitely continue to do so in the future,” Eamets added.

The subjects highlighted in the ranking are taught at the University of Tartu in the School of Economics and Business Administration, Institute of Education, Institute of Social Sciences and Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies.

The universities in the Baltic countries who have made it to the subject ranking in social sciences also include the Tallinn University of Technology (social sciences in the 251–300 range, economics 501+), Vilnius University (social sciences 501–600, economics 501+), and Kaunas University of Technology (social sciences 601+, economics 501+).

To compile the ranking by subjects, the London-based weekly magazine Times Higher Education uses the same methodology as the one used for the THE World University Rankings. For evaluation they employ 13 performance indicators, which describe the learning environment, research influence, volume of research, academic reputation, income, innovation and international outlook.